Moving day! A day of excitement and anticipation for the whole family. Moving into a new house is like starting a new chapter of your life. Each home has a story to tell and you begin that story the second you turn the key and open the door to your new home.

New home owners in our Las Vegas communities at Tuscany Village and Rhodes Ranch love embarking on the journey of moving into their new home, but packing the old house up can be quite cumbersome. That’s why we came up with these five tips to help make the move easier. So roll up your sleeves, pack those boxes, and get ready to start your new life in your new home!

Be Prepared
The boy scouts number one rule definitely applies when you are getting ready to move. Having all the supplies you need ready to go before you start packing up those boxes will make the whole process much easier. Tape, permanent markers, bubble wrap and lots of newspaper are essential. It’s also a good idea to get more boxes than you think you need. You will be surprised at how fast boxes fill up!

Keep Your Boxes Organized
Keep your boxes organized according to what room you would like them to be in at the new house. Using different colored stickers for each room is a good way to easily identify boxes. It’s a good idea to write a brief description on the box about what items you have put in there. That way when you’re looking for the pots and pans in your new kitchen, you can find them easily without having to open 20 different boxes. The best place to put labels and stickers is on the side of a box, that way even if the boxes get stacked you can still know what’s in them.

Start Packing ASAP
Many people don’t start packing until the week before moving day – not a good idea. Start with your winter clothes and items you don’t use all the time, like holiday decorations. Then move on to items you do use, but could live without for a few weeks, like extra silverware, towels, or appliances.

If you haven’t moved in awhile, you might not realize how much stuff you actually own. Moving is a good excuse to clean out your garage and closets. If you donate or sell the items you don’t use anymore, you will not only have more room for new things, but you will also have less to pack. By starting early you can get all the non-essentials packed up and focus on packing the essentials the week before the big move.

Packing Tips
Packing and unpacking is not everyone’s favorite part of moving, but we have a couple tips to make it easier. First, set a few boxes aside to pack personal items (towels, shampoo, soap, etc.) that you will want to unpack ASAP. It will make you and your family more comfortable to have essential items unpacked first in your new home. Then, utilize those wardrobe boxes! Wardrobe boxes are great because you can hang all your clothes in them. But, to get the most out of your wardrobe boxes, stuff some blankets or pillows at the bottom of the box. These items are not heavy and can easily squeeze into the bottom of a wardrobe box. For easier unpacking, place a strong string or twine under the tape when you seal a box up and leave some extra string hanging out. When you get to your new home you can open the box by simply pulling the string. No need for a box cutter!

Keep Valuables With You
Anything that is very valuable to you, keep with you. Pack up your jewelry, grandma’s dishes, or family mementos in your own car so you know they will get to your new home in one piece. Important papers like birth certificates, school records, bills, and doctor records should also be packed in the car. Anything that cannot be replaced should be kept under your protective eye.

It’s kind of fun to go through all your worldly possessions, pack them up, and move them into a new home. Hopefully these tips will make your move less stressful and more enjoyable! Do you have any additional moving tips? Let us know if the comments below!

Photo courtesy of Flickr user Looking&Learning. Some rights reserved.

Laundry day is a hassle no more! With these five easy tips, you can breeze through your laundry and spend more time doing the things you love.

Create a folding station in your laundry room
Owners of our new homes in Las Vegas at Tuscany Village can enjoy having a spacious laundry room as one of their home options. By installing a countertop over the washer and dryer or placing a cart or table in the laundry room, you can eliminate the hassle of lugging your laundry to the couch and having clothes all over your living room for the rest of the day. Instead you can simply take your laundry right out of the dryer and place it conveniently on a table in the same room. This not only eliminates the hassle of carrying laundry all over the house, but it also contains the laundry to the laundry room.

Invest in a built-in ironing board
Hauling out the ironing board can be a task unto itself. Eliminate this extra step by installing a flip down ironing board. Life will be so much easier when all you have to do is plug in the iron and iron the clothes.

Install sturdy clothing rods
We all have clothes that need special care, and usually that means the dryer is off limits. By installing clothing rods in your laundry room, you can conveniently hang-dry all your delicates inside instead of outside on a clothing line. Plus, once your clothes are dry, they are already on the hangers and ready to be placed back in your closet.

Stay organized
The laundry room can be a hectic place with all of the detergents, fabric softeners, stain removers and clothes lying around. A little organization can go a long way. First, organize your laundry. Separate whites, darks, and delicates into three different baskets or bins. This will make it easy to throw in load after load. If your household has kids old enough to do their own laundry, give each child their own laundry basket so they can be responsible for their own laundry. Then organize the products. Separate detergents, fabric softeners, and stain removers and give them their own labeled area. This will help whoever is doing laundry get to the products they need quickly and easily.

Decorate!
Doing the laundry can be a bore for some of us. But if you’re doing your laundry in a room that’s aesthetically pleasing, the task becomes more enjoyable. Paint the walls a cheerful color and add some family photos. Adding a small television or radio can also bring some entertainment into the space and make doing the laundry fun!

Laundry doesn’t have to be something you dread every week. Now that you have all the tools, you can turn laundry day into a fun (and short) day!

How many hours do you spend doing laundry each week? Leave us a comment and let us know.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user FL4Y. Some rights reserved.

For both business travelers and vacationers, going to the airport isn’t always the efficient and headache-free exercise that it could be. While even the best of airports can have the occasional hiccup in efficiency, some hubs are just simply better than others. Owners of our new homes in Las Vegas at Tuscany Village and Rhodes Ranch are just the right distance away from a relatively low-hassle and navigable airport: McCarran International Airport.

Living in a town like Las Vegas, which is to say a town know for its tourism, can have its advantages. McCarran is most definitely one of those advantages. Las Vegas and McCarran International are built for travel. Lots of it.

With thousands of passengers flying in and out of Las Vegas every week, this airport has really stepped up to the plate to make your flying experience a good one. With quick and organized security lines, it’s a breeze to get through those metal detectors and onto your final destination. Once you are through security you will find well-planned terminals that make it easy to find your gate, plus there is a bunch of yummy food and fun Las Vegas shopping to occupy you before your flight takes off.

When you return home, you will be able to get your luggage ASAP by following the well-marked signs to baggage claim. Plus, the hassle of getting to and from the airport is eliminated because McCarran offers free parking. And, after a long day of traveling, it only takes residents of our new homes at Tuscany Village or Rhodes Ranch about 20 minutes to get home.

But you don’t have to be going on a trip to enjoy what McCarran has to offer. In fact, you don’t even need a boarding pass!

At McCarran International Airport there is an area on Sunset Road, about 1/5 of a mile west of Eastern Avenue, where you can park your car for free and watch the planes take off and land. The airport is open 24 hours a day, so we suggest you pack up a delicious picnic or a late-night snack, drive over to the airfield and enjoy watching the planes as they come and go. Sit in your car or bring lawn chairs and tune into 101.1 FM to listen to pilots communicating with the air traffic control tower as they land.

Oh, and did we mention that you will have a stellar view of the beautiful Las Vegas Strip? With all the lights and signs shining at their brightest across the night sky, it makes for an impressive backdrop to the main attraction. Kids will love watching the planes zoom down the runway and adults will be reminded how cool airplanes really are.

So, whether you’re taking a trip or just watching the planes take off and land, McCarran International Airport will make your experience easy, memorable, and (most of all) fun!

What is your favorite part about going to the airport? What’s your favorite airport that you’ve ever visited? Share your experience with us in the comment below!

Photo courtesy of Flickr user g Tarded. Some rights reserved.

Turning your patio into an outdoor living space is pretty simple to do. The first thing you want to do is start thinking about your patio as an outdoor room. Then you can decide what kind of room you want the patio to serve as.

Owners of our new homes in Las Vegas at Rhodes Ranch and Tuscany Village can use their patios for different purposes. Some can use their patios as an outdoor cooking and dining space where their whole family can gather for meals. Others can use it as an outdoor living room where they can relax and unwind after a long day. Whatever kind of room you use your patio for, we have some tips to turn your patio into an outdoor living space you are sure to enjoy.

Make Sure Your Furniture is Weather Proof
Today, many outdoor furniture pieces are made with material like canvas or wicker that is made to withstand the weather. If you have furniture that is not weather proof, like wood or metal, you can easily make it weatherproof by painting a sealant on the furniture to prevent it from rotting or rusting.

Add a Rug
Just because the patio is outside, doesn’t mean you can’t add a rug. Rugs help to separate the living space of the patio and create distinct zones. So if you’re using your patio as a dining space and a living space, rugs can help define these different areas.

Start Planting
The best part about an outdoor living space is that nature is all around you. Bring that nature onto your patio by planting potted plants like basil, thyme and any other herbs that tickle your senses. These herbs can serve several purposes, such as being visually appealing and releasing a fresh smell. They are also practical for the master chef, cooking out on the grill. Sprinkle some of these fresh, homegrown herbs on whatever you are cooking to take your meal to the next level.

Hang Up Misters
You’ve seen misters on the patios of restaurants and other outdoor spaces, why not bring those home? Misters help cool down your patio so you can enjoy your outdoor space anytime during the summer.

These simple tips can help turn a patio into that outdoor summertime oasis you’ve always wanted. What kind of outdoor living space is your patio used for? Leave us a comment and let us know.

The Fourth of July is a favorite holiday for residents of our new homes in Las Vegas at Rhodes Ranch and Tuscany Village because there are so many fun events going on. Whether you’re looking for a neighborhood fireworks show or an extravagant fireworks show on the Las Vegas Strip, you are sure to find something that everyone can enjoy.

Fireworks on the Las Vegas Strip

If you are looking for a spectacular fireworks show, the Las Vegas Strip is the place to be. Caesars Palace and the Las Vegas Hilton are both having firework shows on Sunday, July 3, while Mandalay Bay is having their show on Monday, July 4. There will also be fireworks from five Station Casinos on July 4, including Green Valley Ranch, Aliante Station, Red Rock, Fiesta Rancho and Texas Station. All firework shows will start when the sun goes down around 9 p.m.

Neighborhood Fireworks

The Fourth of July is a great time to get to know your neighbors and the surrounding community. In one of our previous posts, Spring and Summer Events for Residents of New Homes in Henderson, Nevada we let you know about the Basic High School Fireworks Show that includes live entertainment and a great fireworks display. Check out that post for more details about the event.

Damboree

The Boulder City Parks and Recreation is hosting this year’s Damboree in Boulder City, Nevada. The event will be held at Veteran’s Memorial Park. Festivities include a pancake breakfast, parade, live music, games, water activities and, of course, fireworks! This is a great event to bring the family to because you can go for the whole day, or just a couple of hours. Either way you are sure to have a fun-filled Fourth of July.

However you celebrate the 235th anniversary of our country’s independence, we hope you have fun and stay safe! Do you have any Fourth of July traditions? Leave us a comment and let us know.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user ASEDYAMJR. Some rights reserved.

With some great summertime rates and fun golf leagues, residents of our new homes in Las Vegas at Rhodes Ranch and Tuscany Village will be on the golf course all summer long! To keep your game on-point during the summer months, we have some great tips to follow while on the golf course. Plus we have more information about the reduced summertime rates and the Coors Light Summer League. Residents won’t want to leave the golf course this summer!

Summertime Golf Tips

If you are going to golf in the summer there are a few things you should do to keep your body cool and your game in tip-top shape. First wear proper clothes. Wearing a hat and light clothing will help keep you cool while playing the course. Also, drink water before and during your round of golf to keep your body hydrated. If you are playing during lunch or dinnertime, take a break at the 9th hole to grab a bite to eat at the club house. Taking a break in the middle of the course will allow your body to rest and cool down so the second half of your game can be just as good as the first half.

Reduced Rates

The best part about playing golf in the summer is that you can play the same course for half the price! During the summer months Tuscany Village and Rhodes Ranch golf courses have some great deals. At Rhodes Ranch Golf Course ,you pay only $25 after 3:30 p.m. Plus, you get two free draft beers and one bottle of water. At Tuscany Village Golf Course, summer rates are $25 cheaper than in the spring time. That means non-residents pay only $40-$75, depending on the time of day.

Coors Light Summer League at Rhodes Ranch

Every Tuesday at 5 p.m., Rhodes Ranch hosts the Coors Light Summer League. It’s only $30 to sign up, so bring your friends and get to know your neighbors while Coors Light provides free beer and prizes! The summer league is played in the shotgun, two-person, best ball style of play. This means that each team of two will start off simultaneously at different holes. For example, if there are 18 groups of twosomes, then each team will start off on a different hole. Then each team of two will play their own balls and record their own scores. At the end of each hole the teams will see who had the better score and record that as their team score.

Summertime is a great time to enjoy the golf course you’ve been living on all year. So dust off those clubs, grab your friends, and have some fun this summer! What’s your favorite hole at Rhodes Ranch and Tuscany Village? Leave us a comment and let us know.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user Robert V. Some rights reserved.

Splashing around in the pool with friends and family is one of the best ways to cool off  and have a good time during the warm summer days. You can find residents of our new homes in Las Vegas at Tuscany Village and Rhodes Ranch laying out next to our resort-style pools or having fun playing in our fun zone water park. No matter which pool you choose to spend your summer day by, we want you to enjoy yourself and be safe. So here are four easy tips to stay safe at the pool.

1. Protect Your Skin

Sunburns are no fun, so putting sunscreen on before you get in the pool is a must. You should apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you go outside to allow it to soak into your skin. Sunscreen with SPF levels above 15 should protect you for up to two hours (even if it’s waterproof), so remember to reapply. AS an example of how SPF levels work; if you use SPF 15, you can stay in the sun 15 times longer than you normally could. So if you normally start to burn after ten minutes, an SPF of 15 protects your skin for up to 150 minutes.

2. Know Your Limits

Monitor how long you are swimming in the pool. You may not realize how tired you are when you’re splashing around in the pool. It’s important to get out of the pool every hour to rest and rehydrate. Many people cannot tell when their bodies get dehydrated, so it is important to drink 8-16 oz. of water every 1-2 hours.

3. Make Sure Children are Supervised and Wearing Proper Flotation Devices

It is important to always watch your kids when they are in the pool because you never know what could happen. Equipping your kids with the proper floatation devices (like life vests) and swimming skills will help reduce the chance of accidents happening. Swimming lessons are a good way for children to become stronger swimmers and build their confidence, plus it gives them a fun activity to do in the summer. There are even classes for parents and babies that get children comfortable in the water and teach parents skills like CPR.

4. Learn and Practice Water Safety Skills

Almost every pool has safety rules, like “No running in the pool area.” Look for these rules when you enter a pool area and observe and practice them. The rules are posted to keep you safe, so if you follow them you are sure to have a fun and safe summer at the pool.

We hope all of our residents in all of our new homes have a fun and safe summer at our community pools. Do you have any other tips for staying safe at the pool?Give us your ideas in the comment section below!

Photo courtesy of Flickr user quinet. Some rights reserved.

Many of our new homes in Las Vegas attract a very special type of homeowner: expecting parents. As happens so often in life, the excitement of being pregnant and the prospect of adding a new member to the family gives way to the realization that you may need a bigger place to live in order to accommodate everyone. It’s not rare to have such big life changes as becoming a parent and purchasing a home come simultaneously.

One of the most exciting and rewarding parts of becoming a parent is getting ready for your little one to arrive. There are a lot of things to do in preparation, but most likely your friends and family will be there to help you along the way with things like baby showers. There will be plenty of new additions to your new home along with the big new addition, your new baby.

Something that goes along way in helping parents prepare their new home for the arrival of a newborn is learning the gender of the baby. Some parents prefer to be surprised, and it’s absolutely a matter of personal preference. But many parents pick out color schemes for the baby’s room in the new home based on whether they’re having a boy or a girl. However, it’s also possible to choose gender-neutral colors; if you would like to wait to find out the gender. Either way, decorating the baby’s room is often the biggest part of nesting.

Creating Less Clutter in the Home with Selective Purchases
One of the best things you can do when nesting is to not purchase items for the baby that do similar things. You will collect plenty of baby-related items over the course of their youngest years, you don’t want to start with too much clutter before they even arrive. For instance, many play-yards can also serve as a bassinet. You will get more use out of a play-yard, as the baby grows, than you will out of a bassinet (which the baby will only use for a few months.

Another example of baby items that serve a similar purpose are bouncy seats and swings. Most parents quickly find that their baby prefers one over the other. But, luckily, there are swing out there that can also function as a bouncy seat. So, you get the best of both worlds.

Are you a parent that’s gone through the nesting process in your home? What advice or experience can you offer expectant moms and dads to help them ready their new home for their bundle of joy? Add your ideas and tips to the comments below!

Photo courtesy of Flickr user Matt Brett. Some rights reserved.

Many homeowners like their new home to reflect the different seasons of the year. In the fall, you will see burnt oranges and browns decorating the living room and pumpkins and turkeys strewn about the house. During the winter, you may see roaring fireplaces and holiday decorations cheering up many of the homes around the neighborhood. And, in the spring, new flowers start to sprout up in backyards and potted plants throughout the house. Now that it’s summer, residents of our new homes in Tuscany Village and Rhodes Ranch may be looking for new ideas to create an environment that reflects the fun and relaxing atmosphere of summer.

We have a few simple ideas to make your new home in Las Vegas cool and comfortable:

Change Out Heavy Linens for Light Airy Sheers

Taking down heavy curtains and storing away dark colored throw pillows and blankets will instantly brighten up your home. White duvet covers and turquoise curtains can transform your bedroom into a Caribbean getaway. While simply putting light and colorful throw pillows on your couch can turn a dark living room into a fun and cool place to relax.

Incorporate Summertime Elements into Your Decor

Are you visiting a beach this summer? On your trip, collect some sand, stones and seashells. And, when you come home, place them in a glass bowl. Add a tea light candle and you have a brand new, summery center piece. Do you have some baskets laying around the house? Collect all your pool supplies, towels, sunscreen and pool toys and place them next to the door. This not only organizes your pool supplies, but it also adds a summery touch to whatever room you place it in. Have any pictures from previous vacations or trips? Bring them out and display them to remind you of fun summer memories you have enjoyed with your friends and family.

Lighten Up Your Outdoor Space

Nighttime in the summer is one of the most enjoyable times to be outside. Make your outdoor space useable by draping white Christmas lights throughout your backyard. The twinkling of these little lights will turn your backyard into a magical place your whole family can enjoy. You can also use empty jelly jars as tea light holders and place them around your patio. Don’t forget, lanterns and torches also make for a great atmospheric touch on a summer night (as well as keep the bugs away).

These simple, inexpensive decoration ideas can transform your home into a summertime oasis. How do you decorate your home in the summer? Share your ideas with us here, in the comments below.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user Kyle McDonald. Some rights reserved.

It’s a wonderful thing when families are tight-knit. In fact, one of the reasons many of our new Las Vegas homes have open and spacious floor plans is so that families will be able to spend time with each other even if, say, dad’s in the kitchen and the kids are in the great room.

But, just as it’s important to have spaces in the homes that encourage family members to spend time together, it can be just as important for family members to have some sense of personal space too (especially mom and dad). If you’re a parent, you know how quickly it can feel like your kids have taken over the house. Toys and book bags strewn all over the kitchen and great room, mom and dad’s movie collection or aerobics equipment sharing a space with the kids’ video games; it can get a little crowded. Plus, mom and dad need to be able to be just mom and dad sometimes, instead of mom dad AND kids. It’s good for everyone to have that personal space.

One of the things that can help parents and homeowners maintain their own personal space in the home is an owner’s sitting room. An owner’s sitting room is a nice-sized living space, adjacent to the owner’s suite. It’s perfect for parents who need a room to retire to, without calling it a night. The bedroom space is rarely ideal for spending time in during the day, unless you plan to spend the day in bed. But, sometimes, mom and dad need the privacy that the owner’s suite provides, without feeling like they have to confine themselves to a corner of the house because the kids have taken over the rest.

An owner’s sitting room with simple and comfortable furniture, and perhaps a nice book or movie collection, can be just what homeowners are looking for in a new home to help maintain their own personal space after they’ve had kids.

What would you do with the personal space that an owner’s sitting room provides? Tell us in the comments below.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user nofi. Some rights reserved.